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What this means for you
You may feel anxious about having an intraductal
papilloma. Even though you may feel relieved that
it’s a benign condition, you may still worry about
breast cancer. For most people, having an
intraductal papilloma does not increase their risk
of breast cancer.
If your intraductal papilloma contains atypical
cells, or if you have multiple intraductal papillomas,
you may be worried or anxious that your risk of
breast cancer is slightly increased. This doesn’t
mean you’ll necessarily develop breast cancer in
the future.
Even though your intraductal papilloma has been
removed, it’s still important to be breast aware and
go back to your GP if you notice any other changes
in your breasts.
You can find out more about being breast aware
in our Your breasts, your health: throughout
your life booklet.
If you’d like any further information or support,
call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000 (Text Relay
18001). You may also find it helpful to chat to
someone who’s had a similar experience to you
by visiting our online benign breast conditions
forum at www.breastcancercare.org.uk
A large print version of this leaflet can
be downloaded from our website,
www.breastcancercare.org.uk
It is also available in Braille or on audio CD
on request by phoning 0845 092 0808.
This leaflet has been produced by
Breast Cancer Care’s clinical specialists
and reviewed by healthcare professionals.
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Telephone 0845 077 1895
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Intraductal papilloma
About this leaflet
Although they are much more common
in women, men can also get intraductal
papillomas, but this is very rare.
Intraductal papillomas are benign (non-cancerous)
and generally do not increase the risk of developing
breast cancer. They are most common in women
over 40 and usually develop naturally as the breast
ages and changes. However, when an intraductal
papilloma contains atypical cells (abnormal but not
cancerous), this has been shown to slightly increase
the risk of developing breast cancer in the future.
Some people have multiple intraductal papillomas
and they also have a slightly higher risk of
developing breast cancer.
which is one of the brand names of the equipment
used), a hollow probe connected to a vacuum
device is placed through a small cut in the skin.
Breast tissue is then sucked through the probe
into a collecting chamber. This enables removal
of several tissue samples which are sent to
the laboratory where they are examined under
a microscope.
What is an intraductal papilloma?
How are they found?
Breasts are made up of lobules (milk-producing
glands) and ducts (tubes that carry milk to the
nipple), which are surrounded by glandular, fibrous
and fatty tissue.
Intraductal papillomas can be found following a
mammogram, after breast surgery or by you going
to your GP (local doctor) with symptoms. You will
then be referred to a breast clinic where you’ll be
seen by specialist doctors or nurses. At the breast
clinic you’ll probably have three different tests,
known as triple assessment, so that a definite
diagnosis can be made. These are a breast
examination, a mammogram (breast x-ray) and/or
an ultrasound scan (which creates a picture of the
breast using high-frequency sound waves) and a
fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core biopsy/vacuum
assisted biopsy.
Please call our free helpline if you’d like more
information about any tests you may be having,
or see our Referral to a breast clinic booklet
This leaflet tells you about intraductal
papillomas. It explains what an intraductal
papilloma is, how it’s found and what
will happen if it needs to be treated or
followed up.
Sometimes a wart-like lump develops in one or
more of the ducts. It is usually close to the nipple,
but can sometimes be found elsewhere in the
breast. You may also notice a discharge of clear
or bloodstained fluid from the nipple. You may also
feel some pain.
All of these may be symptoms of an intraductal
papilloma. Intraductal papillomas can be in both
breasts at the same time and are sometimes found
by chance following a mammogram (breast x-ray)
or breast surgery.
If you are a woman under 35, you’re more likely
to have an ultrasound scan than a mammogram.
This is because younger women’s breast tissue is
too dense to give a clear image on a mammogram.
An FNA is where a fine needle and syringe is used
to take a sample of cells from the lump. A core
biopsy uses a larger needle to remove a sample of
breast tissue rather than cells. In a vacuum assisted
biopsy (sometimes called a Mammotome biopsy,
Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk
If you have discharge from the nipple, a sample
may be sent to the laboratory to be looked at under
a microscope.
Treatment and follow up
Your specialist will be able to advise you of the most
appropriate treatment or follow up (further checks) if
you have an intraductal papilloma. They may feel
that no further treatment is needed after either a
core or vacuum assisted biopsy. However, they may
still want to do another operation (excision biopsy)
to remove more breast tissue. In some centres,
vacuum assisted biopsy may be used as an
alternative to surgery.
The operation is usually done under a general
anaesthetic, and you’ll be in hospital for the day or
overnight. You’ll have a small wound near the nipple
with a stitch or stitches in it, and your doctors will
tell you how to care for it afterwards.
If your breast is painful after the operation, you may
want to take pain relief such as paracetamol. The
operation will leave a small scar but this will fade in
time. After the operation your nipple may be less
sensitive than before.
After the intraductal papilloma has been removed,
follow up is not usually required. However, for some
people, a short-term follow up with the specialist
may be needed if only a core biopsy/vacuum
assisted biopsy has been performed. People with
multiple intraductal papillomas and those whose
intraductal papillomas contained atypical cells are
likely to have follow up appointments with their
specialist for longer.
If your nipple continues to produce discharge after
surgery, or if there’s inflammation around it, you
may need to have a further operation to remove the
affected duct or ducts. You may be offered a
microdochectomy (removal of the affected duct or
ducts) or a Hadfield’s operation (removal of all the
major ducts). The operation should solve the
problem, but if the discharge comes back more
ducts may need to be removed, as finding all the
ducts can sometimes be difficult.
Call our Helpline on 0808 800 6000